Recently some TWR-Africa staff members who went to Zimbabwe shared their experiences – Mr. David Rittenhouse and Mr. Lee Lowell explained how desperate the situation is in the once-prosperous country. 

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a hard-currency shortage, which has led to hyperinflation and chronic shortages in fuel and consumer goods.  The current economic and food crisis has been attributed mainly to a drought affecting the entire region, the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the government's current price controls and land reforms.

With this in mind, TWR (and a partner) has developed a new programme - The Entrepreneur.  This programme is intended for the community in Zimbabwe, in Shona and African English to assist and encourage those who are affected by the economic situation.  The Entrepreneur is a programme choc-full of information on how to start small faith-based businesses.  The target groups are people who are struggling to make ends meet – with little resources or in some cases just raw talent.

The programmes will cover a host of topics including writing a business plan, finances and start-up costs, registering a business, insurance, entrepreneurial tips and links, mentoring of entrepreneurs, marketing, how to write a proposal, customer care, community responsibility, etc.

Initially, the series will consist of 32 half hour programmes which will air weekly (starting in June 2008).

TWR made Zimbabwe their first priority concerning this programme specifically because of the current economic and political situation in the country.  We trust that with God’s help we will be able to change the lives of individuals who will eventually change their communities.

Published 07 April